Maryland Department of Health Services, Phone Numbers, Medicaid, Vital Records & Local Health Departments
Use this practical guide to contact the Maryland Department of Health, find local health department services, request birth and death certificates, get immunization records, apply for Medicaid or health coverage, check licensing boards, use 988 crisis support, file a public records request, and reach the right official office without wasting time.
The biggest mistake users make is treating MDH as one phone desk for everything. Maryland health services are split between the state office, local health departments, the Vital Statistics Administration, Maryland Health Connection, Medicaid, professional licensing boards, behavioral health programs, and other official units.
This finder helps you choose the correct official starting point. It does not book appointments or replace MDH, your local health department, Maryland Health Connection, the Medicaid office, a licensing board, or a crisis service. It simply sends users toward the most relevant official page.
For general MDH contact, call 410-767-6500 or 1-877-463-3464 during regular business hours listed by the department. For local clinics, WIC, immunizations, some vital records, or county-specific health services, use your local health department page.
Maryland Department of Health phone number, services and local office help
The main Maryland Department of Health phone numbers are 410-767-6500 and 1-877-463-3464. MDH lists its main office at 201 W. Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Use these numbers for general routing, but do not assume they are the fastest path for every service.
For local appointments, county programs, WIC, community health services, some immunization support, local disease reporting, and county health questions, start with your local health department. For birth, death, fetal death, marriage certificates, and divorce verifications, use the Maryland Division of Vital Records. For health coverage enrollment, use Maryland Health Connection. For mental health or substance use crisis support, call or text 988.
The safest route is simple: identify the service, use the official MDH or Maryland.gov page for that service, then call the exact unit or local office before visiting. This avoids bad user experience, wrong-office calls, outdated directory listings, and unnecessary paid third-party sites.
Maryland Department of Health fast facts before you call
Official verification for this Maryland Department of Health guide
Publish-ready as of: May 9, 2026.
This article was prepared using official Maryland Department of Health and related Maryland resources, including the MDH contact page, local health department directory, Division of Vital Records, immunization and ImmuNet pages, MyIR Mobile guidance, Maryland Medicaid pages, Maryland Health Connection, Behavioral Health Administration 988 resources, health professional licensing board pages, Public Information Act resources, HIPAA/privacy pages, and Maryland Public Health Laboratory pages.
State health information changes often. Phone numbers, office hours, appointment rules, certificate fees, local health department services, Medicaid processes, public health alerts, licensing rules, and records request instructions may change. Always verify the exact service on the official MDH or Maryland.gov page before visiting, paying, mailing documents, applying, renewing, filing a complaint, or relying on a deadline.
Maryland Department of Health services covered in this guide
Maryland Department of Health phone number directory by service
The main MDH phone number is useful, but it is not always the fastest path. Use the right contact based on your task. A birth certificate question, Medicaid coverage question, local WIC appointment, immunization record request, health professional license search, public records request, or 988 crisis need should not all go through the same general line.
Best call strategy for Maryland Department of Health services
Before calling, write down the service name, county, certificate type, child’s immunization need, Medicaid case question, application ID, license board, complaint details, or record request topic. A specific request gets routed faster than saying “I need the health department.”
Maryland local health department near me: county services, appointments and phone help
Maryland local health departments are the practical front door for many services. The state MDH website explains programs, but county and Baltimore City health departments often control local clinic schedules, WIC appointments, vaccine clinics, community health programs, inspection contacts, local disease reporting, and service-specific phone numbers.
Do not assume one county’s hours or process applies statewide. Local health department websites can differ in appointment rules, walk-in availability, certificate services, WIC clinic locations, public health alerts, environmental health contacts, and local program schedules.
Maryland Department of Health services by major county search intent
Many users search for a specific local office instead of the state agency. Common searches include Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore County Health Department, Montgomery County Health Department, Prince George’s County Health Department, Anne Arundel County Health Department, Howard County Health Department, Harford County Health Department, Frederick County Health Department, and Wicomico County Health Department.
For local office needs, the correct answer is often not the MDH main phone. It is the official local health department page for the county or Baltimore City where the service is delivered.
What the Maryland Department of Health handles in 2026
MDH works across public health, health care access, behavioral health, Medicaid, vital records, health professional regulation, public health laboratory support, data, local health department coordination, and disease prevention. It is not one single clinic, so users need a clear path by service.
What Maryland Department of Health may not be the right office for
Maryland health searches often mix state health, county health, Medicaid, environmental regulation, private medical care, insurance billing, and federal programs. Calling MDH for the wrong issue can waste time and send users in circles.
Maryland birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates and divorce verifications
The Maryland Division of Vital Records is the official state path for certified copies of birth, death, fetal death, and marriage certificates for events that occur in Maryland. MDH also provides divorce verifications and information about adoption, foreign adoption, and legitimation procedures.
The Division of Vital Records lobby is listed as appointment-only. Local health departments may provide certain birth and death certificate services, but appointment rules, fees, office hours, and payment methods can vary by county. Always check the official certificate page and the local health department page before visiting.
For birth certificate questions, the Maryland page lists a recorded message number at 410-764-3038 or 800-832-3277. Do not pay a third-party website until you have checked the official MDH certificate page and confirmed the exact record type you need.
Before you request a Maryland certificate
Prepare the full name on the record, date of birth or death, county or city, parent or spouse details when required, your relationship to the person, valid ID, mailing address, payment method, and whether you need a certified copy. For divorce decrees, custody orders, or full court files, contact the appropriate Maryland court instead of MDH vital records.
Maryland immunization records, ImmuNet, MyIR Mobile and vaccine help
Maryland’s immunization record system is called ImmuNet. MDH describes ImmuNet as Maryland’s Immunization Information System, a secure web-based registry managed by the Center for Immunization at MDH. Access to ImmuNet is restricted to authorized users and information is confidential.
For public access, Maryland uses MyIR Mobile. MyIR stands for My Immunization Record, and MDH guidance says it can securely pull vaccination records from ImmuNet. Adults can use Maryland MyIR Mobile to obtain official vaccination records for daycare, camps, schools, employment, or travel if matching records are available.
Maryland vaccine record tip
Do not wait until the school, camp, employment, or travel deadline. Create or check your MyIR Mobile access early, because record matching, missing provider data, name changes, and older vaccine histories can take extra time to resolve.
Maryland Medicaid, Medical Assistance, HealthChoice and coverage help
Maryland Medicaid is also called Medical Assistance. MDH describes Medicaid as free or low-cost health insurance for eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. It is one of the most searched Maryland Department of Health topics because users often need coverage, renewal, managed care, or plan help.
Maryland Health Connection is the main consumer path for applying for Medicaid and private Marketplace plans. For coverage applications and updates, call 1-855-642-8572 or use the Maryland Health Connection website. For HealthChoice managed care questions, MDH lists the HealthChoice Helpline at 800-284-4510.
Maryland Health Connection phone, enrollment and insurance help
Maryland Health Connection is the official state health insurance marketplace. It helps Marylanders apply for health coverage, compare plans, check eligibility for savings, apply for Medicaid, update information, and get enrollment help.
The consumer support center phone number is 1-855-642-8572. Maryland Health Connection states that help is available in more than 200 languages, and Deaf and hard-of-hearing users can use relay service. Use Maryland Health Connection for enrollment and application questions rather than calling a random private insurance lead site.
Maryland mental health, substance use, 988 crisis and Behavioral Health Administration
The Maryland Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration supports mental health and substance use services, prevention, crisis support, recovery resources, and public behavioral health programs. For immediate crisis support, Maryland promotes the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Call, text, or chat 988 if you or someone else is experiencing a mental health crisis, substance use crisis, thoughts of suicide, or emotional distress. For veterans, call 988 and press 1. For immediate danger, overdose, violence, fire, or emergency medical need, call 911.
Maryland health professional license lookup, renewal and board contacts
Many users search Maryland Department of Health because they need to verify a nurse, physician, pharmacist, therapist, social worker, counselor, physical therapist, long-term care administrator, or other licensed health professional. MDH provides a health professional licensing boards page with board names, emails, and phone numbers.
Licensing rules are board-specific. A nursing license renewal is not the same as a physician license verification, pharmacy license issue, physical therapy license search, or controlled dangerous substances registration verification. Use the correct board page and official license lookup tool for the profession.
License lookup tip
Search by license number when possible. If searching by name, use the exact name on the license and check profession type. Do not assume a similar name is the same person without verifying board, license number, status, expiration date, and discipline information where available.
Maryland Department of Health Public Information Act, HIPAA and records requests
Maryland’s Public Information Act is commonly called PIA or MPIA. MDH provides an official Public Information Act page for submitting an MDH records request or mailing a request to the Department of Health, Attn: Public Information, 201 W. Preston Street, Suite 507G, Baltimore, MD 21201.
A PIA request is not the same as a personal medical record request from a private doctor, hospital, or clinic. It is also not the same as a vital records certificate request. For birth, death, marriage, and divorce verification, use Vital Records. For Medicaid data or records, use the specific Medicaid data or records path. For HIPAA and privacy concerns, use MDH privacy and compliance resources or federal HHS OCR when the issue is outside MDH oversight.
Maryland Public Health Laboratory, testing support and lab services
The Maryland Public Health Laboratory supports state and local public health work. MDH describes the Laboratories Administration as providing diagnostic and reference services to Maryland hospitals and supporting local health departments. Environmental testing supports public health and related enforcement work.
Most residents will not contact the public health lab directly for routine personal test results. Providers, local health departments, hospitals, public health programs, and authorized submitters usually interact with laboratory services. If you are a patient looking for personal test results, start with the provider or clinic that ordered the test.
Maryland environmental health, local health departments and MDE confusion
Environmental health questions in Maryland can be split across local health departments, MDH programs, and the Maryland Department of the Environment. This is a major search-intent trap. A food service complaint, septic issue, private well concern, air pollution report, spill, fish kill, underground tank issue, or lab testing question may not all go to the same office.
Start with your local health department when the issue is local and public-health related. Use the Maryland Department of the Environment for many statewide environmental reporting topics such as spills, fish kills, air pollution violations, and underground tank leaks. Use MDH laboratory or program pages when the question specifically involves public health testing or MDH programs.
Maryland Department of Health free services vs paid certificates, licenses and records
Many MDH pages, public health alerts, local health department directories, Medicaid guidance, immunization information, 988 resources, PIA instructions, and public health reports are free to access online. Some services may involve fees, especially certificates, certified copies, license verifications, professional licensing, public records copying, laboratory-related service costs, or board-specific verification letters.
The key question is not simply “free or paid.” The stronger question is “official or unofficial.” Pay only through official Maryland.gov, MDH, Maryland Health Connection, local health department, licensing board, or approved official payment paths. Private websites may charge extra or provide outdated information.
Maryland health portal confusion: which official site should you use?
Search results can show many official-looking pages. The right portal depends on your task. MDH is the state health department. Maryland Health Connection is for health coverage enrollment. Local health departments handle many county-level services. Vital Records handles certificates. ImmuNet and MyIR support immunization records. Licensing boards handle license status and renewal. 988 handles crisis support.
Maryland Department of Health office visit checklist before you go
Many failed visits happen because users show up without an appointment, ID, proof of eligibility, application number, certificate details, vaccine record, or correct office location. Use this checklist before visiting or calling.
How to contact the right Maryland Department of Health office
Identify the exact service
Decide whether you need general MDH contact, local health department help, a certificate, immunization record, Medicaid, coverage enrollment, crisis support, license verification, lab information, PIA records, or HIPAA/privacy help.
Start from the official Maryland page
Use Health.Maryland.gov, Maryland Health Connection, the local health department directory, Vital Records, MyIR Mobile guidance, licensing board pages, or 988 Maryland resources depending on your need.
Switch to the county office for local services
If the service requires an appointment, local clinic, local WIC office, local vaccine clinic, local inspection, or local community health program, use the county or Baltimore City health department page.
Prepare documents before calling or visiting
Have your ID, record details, appointment information, county, application number, license number, MyIR details, Medicaid notice, or request description ready.
Verify fees, hours and appointment rules
Do not rely on old search snippets. Check the official MDH, Maryland.gov, local health department, or board page before traveling, paying, submitting forms, or mailing documents.
Do not use general MDH contact pages for emergencies
If there is a life-threatening emergency, call 911. If you need suicide, mental health crisis, or substance use crisis support in Maryland, call or text 988. If you suspect poisoning, overdose, severe symptoms, violence, fire, or immediate danger, use the correct emergency resource immediately.
MDH contact pages are useful for public health programs, records, certificates, coverage information, licensing, and local health department routing. They are not a substitute for emergency medical care, emergency services, urgent law enforcement help, or crisis intervention.
Maryland Department of Health map and office location
The map below points to the Maryland Department of Health main office area in Baltimore. Most users do not need to visit the state office. For certificates, Medicaid, local health services, WIC, immunizations, licensing boards, or records requests, verify the exact office and appointment rules first.
Official Maryland Department of Health links for services, phone numbers and records
Use these official resources before paying a third-party site or relying on an old phone directory. They cover the main user intents behind Maryland Department of Health searches.
Maryland Department of Health official website Main official MDH website for public health services, programs, contact information and agency navigation. MDH Contact Us Official Maryland Department of Health contact page with main phone, toll-free number, address and routing links. Local Health Departments Official MDH directory linking to county and Baltimore City local health department websites. Maryland Division of Vital Records Official vital records page for certified birth, death, fetal death and marriage certificates and divorce verifications. Request Maryland Birth Certificates Official Maryland birth certificate guidance, recorded message numbers, eligibility and request information. Request Maryland Death Certificates Official Maryland death certificate request information. Request Certificates Official certificate request instructions and appointment-related guidance. Immunization for the Public Official MDH immunization page for vaccine resources, records guidance and local health department information. ImmuNet Official Maryland Immunization Information System page. Maryland Medicaid Official Maryland Medical Assistance / Medicaid page. HealthChoice Official Maryland Medicaid managed care program page and HealthChoice guidance. Maryland Health Connection Official health insurance marketplace for Maryland coverage enrollment and Medicaid application routing. Find health coverage help Official Maryland Health Connection page for consumer support and local enrollment assistance. Maryland 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Official Maryland 988 page for mental health and substance use crisis support. Health Professional Licensing Boards Official MDH list of licensing boards, contacts and board resources. Maryland Board of Nursing License Lookup Official nursing license lookup resource. CDS Search Verification Official controlled dangerous substances registration verification page. MDH Public Information Act Official MDH PIA records request page. Privacy and HIPAA Official MDH HIPAA and privacy resource page. Maryland Public Health Laboratory Official MDH laboratory services and public health testing information.Maryland Department of Health FAQ: services, phone, records and local offices
What is the Maryland Department of Health main phone number?
The Maryland Department of Health main phone numbers are 410-767-6500 and 1-877-463-3464. Use these for general MDH contact and routing. For local clinics, certificates, WIC, immunizations, Medicaid, or licensing, a specific official page or office may be faster.
Where is the Maryland Department of Health located?
MDH lists its address as 201 W. Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Before visiting, verify whether the specific service you need is at that office, a local health department, Vital Records, a licensing board, or another location.
How do I find my local health department in Maryland?
Use the official MDH Local Health Departments directory. It links to county and Baltimore City health department websites where you can find local phone numbers, clinics, programs, appointments and service updates.
How do I get a Maryland birth certificate?
Use the Maryland Division of Vital Records birth certificate page. The recorded message number for birth certificate information is 410-764-3038 or 800-832-3277. Some local health departments may also provide birth certificate services, but rules vary.
How do I get a Maryland death certificate?
Use the official Maryland death certificate page or contact the appropriate local health department if local services are available. Confirm eligibility, required ID, fees and appointment rules before visiting or ordering.
Does MDH provide divorce records?
MDH provides divorce verifications for Maryland divorces from 1992 to present. If you need a full divorce decree, court order, custody order, or court file, contact the appropriate Maryland court instead.
How do I get Maryland immunization records?
Use Maryland MyIR Mobile, which can securely pull vaccination records from ImmuNet when matching records are available. You can also contact your provider, school, pharmacy, or local health department.
What is ImmuNet in Maryland?
ImmuNet is Maryland’s Immunization Information System, a secure web-based registry managed by the Center for Immunization at the Maryland Department of Health.
What is the Maryland Health Connection phone number?
Maryland Health Connection consumer support can be reached at 1-855-642-8572. Use it for coverage enrollment, Medicaid application routing, plan comparison, renewal and application help.
What is Maryland Medicaid called?
Maryland Medicaid is also called Medical Assistance. MDH describes it as free or low-cost health insurance for eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
What is the HealthChoice phone number in Maryland?
For Maryland Medicaid managed care questions, MDH lists the HealthChoice Helpline at 800-284-4510.
How do I contact Maryland 988?
Call, text, or chat 988 for suicide, mental health crisis, emotional distress, or substance use crisis support. For immediate danger or emergency response, call 911.
Where do I verify a Maryland health professional license?
Use the MDH Health Professional Licensing Boards page and the correct board website. For nursing, use the Maryland Board of Nursing license lookup. For CDS registration, use the OCSA CDS search verification page.
How do I file a Maryland Department of Health public records request?
Use the MDH Public Information Act page. Be specific about the program, date range, record type, subject and preferred format. Do not use PIA for emergency help or routine certificate requests.
Can MDH investigate every HIPAA complaint?
No. MDH’s privacy pages explain that some HIPAA concerns involving non-MDH facilities may need to be filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.
Is this the official Maryland Department of Health website?
No. This is an independent informational guide. For official services, phone numbers, applications, appointments, certificates, records, licenses, Medicaid, crisis support or public notices, use Health.Maryland.gov, MarylandHealthConnection.gov or the correct official Maryland page.
Independent guide and official-use disclaimer
This article is an independent guide created to help users understand Maryland Department of Health services, phone numbers, local health departments, vital records, immunization records, Maryland Medicaid, Maryland Health Connection, behavioral health, licensing boards, public records, HIPAA resources and official links.
It is not the official Maryland Department of Health website and does not provide medical advice, legal advice, benefits decisions, licensing decisions, emergency help, or guaranteed appointment information. Before visiting, paying, applying, renewing, requesting records, filing a complaint, or relying on a deadline, verify details directly with MDH, Maryland Health Connection, the correct local health department, the appropriate licensing board, or another official Maryland agency.
Bottom line for Maryland Department of Health services and phone help
For general Maryland Department of Health contact, call 410-767-6500 or 1-877-463-3464. For local health services, use the MDH local health department directory. For birth, death, marriage certificates and divorce verifications, use the Division of Vital Records. For immunization records, use MyIR Mobile and ImmuNet resources. For Medicaid and health coverage enrollment, use Maryland Health Connection at 1-855-642-8572. For HealthChoice managed care questions, use 800-284-4510. For mental health or substance use crisis support, call or text 988.
The strongest user path is official first, local office second, exact program third. That is safer for users, stronger for search quality, and more useful than thin phone-directory content.